Water Falling Down by Mark Swivel
Dir: Andrea Moor
With Ron Haddrick and Andrew Buchanan
See season details on QTC website
Review: Man=Man & The Elephant Calf – Queensland Theatre Company
Photo: Amelia Dowd (Bille Brown Studio – after the flood)
Off to the theatre last night to see QTC Ed’s (the Company’s education ‘wing’) production of two small Brecht pieces: Man=Man and The Elephant Calf. The mostly grown-up audience responded well to Director Joe Mitchell’s cleverly recalibrated, joyously performative and wonderfully funny examination of Brechtian theatre techniques.
If you have been as underwhelmed as this theatre-lover has been over the years at the near-veneration afforded Brecht, especially in the state’s drama syllabus, then this production is a revelation. It’s irreverent and also Brechtian-authentic to the core. The pickiest of drama teachers are going to love the way it ticks all the boxes in the Brechtian Performance Techniques check-list. It’s also set to stir their classes to ask ‘WTF?’ Oh, and speaking of ‘WTF’ – the text is visibly strewn with the ‘F Bomb’; do schools still have to vet shows for the kind of language found in the playground and on the school bus? I’d love to be a fly on the wall in some of the classrooms where this production is being discussed. I’ve attended several QTC Ed shows over the years with audiences of upper high school-age students. Each time I have been astonished and delighted at the level of sophistication and maturity displayed by these young people during the post-show Q&As.
The ensemble cast of six (Chris Vernon, Helen Cassidy, Nick Cook, Anthony Standish, Leon Cain and Kevin Kiernan-Molloy) are uniformly excellent. Mitchell has set the play in some middle-eastern war zone and the hapless civilian Galy Gay (Vernon) a kind of opportunistic Everyman figure finds himself buffeted by the winds of politics and macho posturing by the soldiers who take him in. The cast are aided and abetted in the onstage mayhem by a very visible crew (led by SM Christopher Horne at the desk). ‘The Director’ remains as an offstage and nicely nameless authoritarian figure who is finally challenged by the team of ‘actors as actors’ in the last 10 or so minutes of the program. This section kicked over any remaining vestiges of the wall separating audience and performer. The meshing of form and content and examination of the nature of reality and performance was, for me, the most interesting and alienating (in the best Brechtian sense of the word) part of the program. Chatting to a cast member afterwards I learned that it had been created in the last week of the rehearsal period. Bravo!
As the standard bearer for a much wider program of education services, QTC’s Ed productions in the Bille Brown Studio, all under Joe Mitchell’s direction, have been one of the best kept secrets for far too long amongst the city’s post-school theatre-going crowd. It’s good to see the Company including one or two of these intelligent and excellent productions in their new Studio program series this year. Joe Mitchell will be missed; he is leaving QTC to take up a new position in the Brisbane performing arts industry. Good luck Joe!
This production (approx 95 mins without interval) plays at the Company’s home premises at 78 Montague Road, South Brisbane until March 12. Check the showtimes from the QTC website. You’ve got a week – give yourself a treat.
Disclaimer: I am currently the Chairman of the Board, Queensland Theatre Company. My opinions are entirely my own and should be understood as distinct from any affiliation I hold with this or any other business or arts organisation. The only barrow I push is that of theatre per se.
Jobs for the girls? Logging the stats
When subsidised theatre companies announce their seasons for the year, one of the hottest topics around relates to an industrial issue – employment opportunities. Whilst there is also great interest in what shows will be produced, it’s the jobs and casting that draw the attention of a city’s artists and creatives. As to the issue of gender equity in role opportunities – 2011 is not a good year for female actors in Brisbane.
The 2011 mainstage season plays for both Brisbane subsidised companies have more male roles – considerably more – than female. Whilst employment in a mainstage production is not the whole picture for a professional theatre actor – there are other job opportunities in the sector from play readings, teaching, touring in educational programs and from non-award waged engagement in various independent projects in the city – there is no doubt that a contract for a show produced by QTC or La Boite is highly prized. Gender-blind casting notwithstanding, it became clear early on that there were going to be far more jobs for the boys this year at QTC and La Boite. Continue reading “Jobs for the girls? Logging the stats”
2010 Groundling Awards: and the winners are …
If you landed here, you may have clicked the Nominate Now button on Greenroom’s front page. You have jumped the gun a bit! Nominations open for the 2011 Groundlings Awards at one minute past midnight on 1st January. Click on the Nominate Button then or at any time after that until midnight on 31st January and you will find the Nomination Form here … promise! While you are here, though, check out the 2012 Groundling Awards winners.
Congratulations to the winners of the inaugural 2010 Groundling Awards, the people’s award for achievement in theatre in Queensland. The winners in each category are highlighted in green below with the other nominees.
Whilst we were forced to close balloting some 28 hours or so before we’d planned, nearly 600 individuals had already cast their votes and there were finally 3 565 valid votes to count and collate. The category which drew the most votes was that for Outstanding Contribution by a Director. Suffice it to say the Greenroom elves are exhausted, and have retired to the back room to rest. They may not be seen for some time.
We wish we had shiny trophies or cash or something to give all of our winners to mark the occasion. For now, they are just going to have to bask in the support of their fans and we in the memories of their fine work throughout 2010. Well done to them and to all Groundling nominees.
Outstanding Contribution by an Actor
- Julia Billington in My Name Is Rachel Corrie (La Boite Indie)
- Jason Klarwein in Thom Pain (Queensland Theatre Company)
- Lucas Stibbard in Boy Girl Wall (The Escapists for !Metro Arts Independents)
Outstanding Contribution by a Director
- Michael Futcher for Grimm Tales (Queensland Theatre Company)
- Steven Mitchell Wright for In God We Trust (Queensland Academy of Creative Industries)
- Tim O’Connor for Jesus Christ Superstar (Harvest Rain Theatre Company)
Outstanding Contribution to Set Design
- Greg Clarke (Grimm Tales for Queensland Theatre Company)
- Lucas Stibbard and The Escapists (Boy Girl Wall for !Metro Arts Independents)
- Josh McIntosh (Jesus Christ Superstar for Harvest Rain Theatre Company)
Outstanding Contribution to Costume Design
- Greg Clarke (Grimm Tales for Queensland Theatre Company)
- Noni Harrison (The Timely Death of Victor Blott for Dead Puppet Society & !Metro Arts Independents)
- Josh McIntosh (The Secret Story of Cinderella and her Fabulously Fashionable Footwear for Harvest Rain Theatre Company)
Outstanding Contribution to Lighting Design
- Jason Glenwright (Jesus Christ Superstar for Harvest Rain Theatre Company)
- Ben Hughes (Furious Angels for !Metro Arts Independents)
- David Walters – body of work in 2010 including Grimm Tales and Hamlet
Outstanding Contribution to Sound Design
- Tony Brumpton (The Timely Death of Victor Blott for Dead Puppet Society & !Metro Arts Independents)
- Phil Slade (Grimm Tales for Queensland Theatre Company)
- Steve Toulmin (Hamlet for La Boite Theatre Company)
Best New Play in an Inaugural Queensland Season
- Boy Girl Wall by Lucas Stibbard and Matt Ryan
- In God We Trust by Chris Beckey
- The Bitterling by Sven Swenson
Best Production by a Queensland Independent or Subsidised Company
- Boy Girl Wall: The Escapists and !Metro Arts Independents
- Grimm Tales: Queensland Theatre Company
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Harvest Rain Theatre Company
- The Secret Love Life of Ophelia: Fractal Theatre
Best Co-Production
- The Clean House (Queensland Theatre Company and Black Swan Theatre Company)
- King Lear (Queensland Theatre Company and Bell Shakespeare)
- (Body of Work) !Metro Arts with all of their independent company production partners throughout 2010
Best Community Outreach Program by any Company or Group
- ACE (Arts in Community Enhancement) Project at Borallon Correctional Centre: Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble
- Empire Theatre Projects Company’s production and school workshops: April’s Fool
- 2high Festival: Backbone Youth Arts
Best Use of Social Media by any theatre or group
- Harvest Rain Theatre Company for its integration of social media in marketing (Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, website, e-letters)
- La Boite Theatre Company for its integration of social media in marketing (Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, website, e-letters)
- I Love You Bro: La Boite Theatre Company for its innovative use of social media in marketing and audience engagement
Outstanding Contribution to the Independent Theatre Sector
- !Metro Arts for their continuing, tireless support for independent production of new work, and for providing professional development opportunities for developing talent
- Harvest Rain Theatre Company for their continued contribution to musical theatre development and performance in Brisbane
- Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts for their Talking Shop and Fresh Ground programs
2010 Groundling Awards: and the nominees are …
Sorry if you’re trying to vote for the Groundlings in this last 24 hours or so of voting, but we were inundated by a spam-horde of identical votes from the same IP address on Saturday evening. Greenroom got hit by ballot crashing – people not playing nicely at all – so, in order to keep things fair, we closed voting at this point. Stay tuned for the results on Monday.
Outstanding Contribution by an Actor
- Julia Billington in My Name Is Rachel Corrie (La Boite Indie)
- Jason Klarwein in Thom Pain (Queensland Theatre Company)
- Lucas Stibbard in Boy Girl Wall (The Escapists for !Metro Arts Independents)
Outstanding Contribution by a Director
- Michael Futcher for Grimm Tales (Queensland Theatre Company)
- Steven Mitchell Wright for In God We Trust (Queensland Academy of Creative Industries)
- Tim O’Connor for Jesus Christ Superstar (Harvest Rain Theatre Company)
Outstanding Contribution to Set Design
- Greg Clarke (Grimm Tales for Queensland Theatre Company)
- Lucas Stibbard and The Escapists (Boy Girl Wall for !Metro Arts Independents)
- Josh McIntosh (Jesus Christ Superstar for Harvest Rain Theatre Company)
Outstanding Contribution to Costume Design
- Greg Clarke (Grimm Tales for Queensland Theatre Company)
- Noni Harrison (The Timely Death of Victor Blott for Dead Puppet Society & !Metro Arts Independents)
- Josh McIntosh (The Secret Story of Cinderella and her Fabulously Fashionable Footwear for Harvest Rain Theatre Company)
Outstanding Contribution to Lighting Design
- Jason Glenwright (Jesus Christ Superstar for Harvest Rain Theatre Company)
- Ben Hughes (Furious Angels for !Metro Arts Independents)
- David Walters – body of work in 2010 including Grimm Tales and Hamlet
Outstanding Contribution to Sound Design
- Tony Brumpton (The Timely Death of Victor Blott for Dead Puppet Society & !Metro Arts Independents)
- Phil Slade (Grimm Tales for Queensland Theatre Company)
- Steve Toulmin (Hamlet for La Boite Theatre Company)
Best New Play in an Inaugural Queensland Season *
- Boy Girl Wall by Lucas Stibbard and Matt Ryan
- In God We Trust by Chris Beckey
- The Bitterling by Sven Swenson
Best Production by a Queensland Independent or Subsidised Company
- Boy Girl Wall: The Escapists and !Metro Arts Independents
- Grimm Tales: Queensland Theatre Company
- Jesus Christ Superstar: Harvest Rain Theatre Company
- The Secret Love Life of Ophelia: Fractal Theatre
Best Co-Production
- The Clean House (Queensland Theatre Company and Black Swan Theatre Company)
- King Lear (Queensland Theatre Company and Bell Shakespeare)
- !Metro Arts with all of their independent company production partners throughout 2010
Best Community Outreach Program by any Company or Group
- ACE (Arts in Community Enhancement) Project at Borallon Correctional Centre: Queensland Shakespeare Ensemble
- Empire Theatre Projects Company’s production and school workshops: April’s Fool
- 2high Festival: Backbone Youth Arts
Best Use of Social Media by any theatre or group
- Harvest Rain Theatre Company for its integration of social media and youtube marketing (Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, website, e-letters)
- La Boite Theatre Company for its integration of social media in marketing (Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, website, e-letters)
- I Love You Bro: La Boite Theatre Company for its innovative use of social media in marketing and audience engagement (vlogs; Twitter)
Outstanding Contribution to the Independent Theatre Sector
- !Metro Arts for their continuing, tireless support for independent production of new work, and for providing professional development opportunities for developing talent
- Harvest Rain Theatre Company for their continued contribution to musical theatre development and performance in Brisbane
- Judith Wright Centre for Contemporary Arts for their Talking Shop and Fresh Ground programs
* Boy Girl Wall was due to have had its inaugural season in 2009 but this was cancelled after two performances due to ill health. The completed 2010 production is considered to be the work’s inaugural Queensland season.
How We Did It
Thanks to all who nominated their favourite artists and creatives, productions and programs from 2010. The Groundlings are a people’s choice award and many joined in to help Greenroom launch the inaugural event.
Sorting through the database took quite a while. First we had to eliminate those nominations made after the closing date. Then we removed second and third votes by individuals – only one permitted – but good to see such enthusiasm from audiences and colleagues! Sadly, some did not indicate which production or role their nominated artist was to have been associated with; we eliminated these nominations too. We then counted the remaining number of individual nominations for each category. The highest scoring top three nominated in each category appear above. There are four nominations for best production; this is because two of the nominees tied with the same number of nominations each.
Voting
Now comes the bit you’ve been waiting for. Click on the big orange button above (right) and go to the voting page. Fill in your selection and vote for one only nominee in all or as many of the categories as you like. You may choose not to vote in some if you have not seen the productions referred to. Your vote – for even one category – will still be counted. Please vote only once, however. If you vote more than once, your initial submission only will be counted; the Greenroom elves have sharp eyes. Fair go, now!
Voting closes at midnight on Sunday February 13 – that’s next Sunday. The winners will be announced on February 14.
We’d love you to send the link to the Groundling vote page to your networks. Click the Facebook share button above or Tweet on. If you like the old fashioned email route, that’s fine too. Just embed the url from this page in your mail, and post away!
